Israel has launched renewed attacks on the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of war-affected Palestinians have sought refuge. Israeli planes also dropped leaflets over Rafah to spread information about the hostages.
According to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, 165 Palestinians have been killed and 280 injured in Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours. According to the ministry, 24,927 people have been killed and 61,154 injured in the ongoing Israeli military operation since October 7. The conflict erupted on October 7 after an unprecedented terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people.
Palestinian officials say most of the dead in the ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza so far have been women and children. According to Israeli media, 194 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the start of the ground operation in Gaza.
Israeli attacks in the southern Gaza Strip are increasing
Israeli forces have stepped up their attacks south of the Gaza Strip. The move comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the prospects for a post-war future for Palestinians with US President Joe Biden.
The AFP news agency reported, based on eyewitnesses, that the Israeli bombardment, which continued all night, targeted Khan Yunis. Palestinian media also reported heavy gunfire around the Jabalia refugee camp in the north.